Chess Free Online

ubersmush
34 ( +1 | -1 )I'd like to be coachedRecently I've hit a roadblock in my chess. I can't seem to get better no matter what I do. I would really appreciate it if someone would spend time playing with me and perhaps even going over some of my games.

Perhaps this is rude to ask? If so I apologise - I'm just looking for some chess instruction from an expierienced player :)

mattdw
37 ( +1 | -1 )ubersmushIt's not rude at all to ask! You've made a step in the right direction by joining the CCC, it isn't aimed at any rating range in particular as far as I am aware. I suggest you make a post in the 'Coach Wanted' thread in the forum: -> gameknot.com

Hopefully someone with the right level of knowledge will be able to help.

ccmcacollister
90 ( +1 | -1 )-sigh-I make a sigh for all the coaches in the world (of which I am not good enough at that to be one, i find) But I am good enough to know when a Sigh is warranted. Everyone wants the Secrets; but do they want to do the Work !? Will they last more than 90 days, 6 months, or? Will they spend 1000 hours? 2000 ? 5000 ? This is not aimed at you specifically ubersmush. I always love the see the enthusiasm Chess evokes (invokes?!). And just improving is a great goal. But when someone talks as if they wish to know All, they should know how much Work that can be. (Since no one does seem to know all. Thinking of even Fischer and his insistance on replaying certain Faith positions ... ) I hope you do find someone really helpful at it. And Coaching club is a good start here at GK.

mattdw
151 ( +1 | -1 )My thoughts...I can't really give much advice as it wasn't that long ago that I was pushing 1400 but one thing I can say for sure is that you can't go wrong with some proper tactics study. I began by reading Seirawan's 'Winning Chess Tactics' which was a very good book, it is quite a verbose which is good in some ways and not so good in others.

I would say the main advantage is that the wordyness lent it a kind of confidence building quality, I felt that I was really understanding what I was learning rather than just seeing and memorising. However, with tactics and many other things, this is not always as helpful as it may seem - memorising is very important and is often the foundation upon which understanding can be forged, and due to this the wordyness is also it's weakness in some respects (more words = less examples to learn to recognise!).

A book that was recommended to me by Wschimdt - 'Winning Chess' by Chernev and Reinfeld (I got a copy on Ebay for about £4.00 including P&P!) has a much less wordy approach (albeit very well selected words!) but many more diagrams per page so progress can feel a lot faster. The key to using a book like this (and Seirawan's) effectively is to make sure you do each problem a few times at the very least, maybe again the day after the first viewing and then a week later etc.. To the point where you can spot the answer in a matter of seconds.

ccmcacollister
127 ( +1 | -1 )PS// On the other hand ...That all sounds so discouraging. But you are probably right for some short term optimism. From what I've seen, its true that if someone has been playing without a mentor or coach even to look over games; then it will undoubtably be the case that someone can just look at your games, see a common thread that follows an erroneous concept, say "stop doing That" and make you play 50 points stronger. So call that three hours work, and mostly the coaches ... I guess the Secret there is to 'Do That' thing or dont Do, as the case may be, in front of your coach anyway. (Keep doing it in skittles games until you have some smashing victory "proving" your idea, and a coach will no doubt love it. Either the students determined tenacity ... or if he is from the Silman school of coaching; I think he will get a real good time telling the student about that game. And to students everywhere, remember You asked for it ... :))) Also remember, never take retired Postal Masters too seriously. Especially if they think Chess is a really funny game; and If they were really That good they would be at least retired GM's, no? }8-))

coyotefan
33 ( +1 | -1 )An observationOne quick fix to your game would be slow down. Your profile shows you take 6.2 minutes a move. There is no way you could find the best moves in that time, especially with a 50 game load.

There is a saying I made up that you can either make your moves fast or correct.

ubersmush
32 ( +1 | -1 )ThanksI've read what every has said and I want to say thanks for taking the time to reply! You're absolutly right I need to slow down my games and look for the best move every time. I guess if I want to be a better player I need to just concetrate more and such :)